Linux is a category of open source operating systems that are related to Unix, an early operating system. Linux was created by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish computer expert. It's mascot is a penguin named Tux.
Why a penguin? There are several stories recounted in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tux One of the most interesting is about how Linus Torvalds got bitten by a penguin.
Linus Torvalds released the source code to Linux and since then (early nineties), programmers have created several main categories (e.g., Debian, Red Hat, Open Suse). Within these categories many many operating systems (also known as "distros" which is short for distributions) have been developed. Currently there are over a thousand Linux-based operating systems. Some of these are for very specific purposes. For example, Vinux is an operating system designed for people with limited vision. Kubuntu and Edubuntu are education-focused variations of Ubuntu (probably the most-used form of Linux). Ubuntu falls under the Debian umbrella. For more information about the many distros, visit: http://distrowatch.com/
Why Linux?
There are a number of reasons to consider putting a distro of Linux on a computer.
Lightweight
An operating system such as Microsoft Windows takes up a lot of space on a hard disk and requires a lot of RAM. Older computers cannot run Windows very well because they don't have enough storage space or RAM, however, these computers can be put back into service with a Linux distro. The developers of the various forms of Linux have specifically created and edited code such that the systems take up as small amount of space as possible. Thus, a computer with 120 Gb hard drive and 2 Gb of RAM, which bogged down and ran out of space with Windows XP, can have Unbuntu plus lots and lots of Open Source programs and still have close to 100Gb of hard drive left over for storage purposes. Ubuntu runs quickly on this type of computer. There are also very lightweight distros that can run on even older machines.
Open Source
Most Linux distributions come with a lot of powerful Open Source programs such as GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program), Open Office (office suite), and Audacity (track recording and sound editing application). These programs give even the older computer some powerful capabilities.
Specific
Because there are so many distros, one can find one that is suitable for a given computer's hardware and for the use to which the machine will be put
Make Your Own
No one is dependent on hoping that someone will create a distro that would work for their individual needs. There are ways of doing this oneself: http://tuxradar.com/content/build-your-own-linux-distribution-easy-way
This is a challenging project, however, it is much easier than starting totally from scratch.
User Forums
Most distros have user forums and even ways of contacting the programmers of that particular version of Linux in order to report problems and provide suggestions.
Updates
Ubuntu has a new update every year and the user doesn't have to pay for the newer distro's innovations.
How to Install Linux
These instructions are for a Windows machine where you want to completely erase the old operating system.
WARNING: DON'T INSTALL LINUX ON ANY COMPUTER THAT HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON IT; REMOVE VALUABLE INFO BEFORE INSTALLING BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE IT FROM THAT MACHINE.
Finding Distros
http://distrowatch.com/
Distrowatch is a website that keeps track of Linux distros. You will see that you can buy things from them--they will actually put the .iso on a disk so you do not have to do this for a small fee. You are buying their effort and materials rather than the operating system itself.
As you look at each distro that interests you (there's a good list on the right hand side as you scroll down), Distrowatch will give you the website for that particular OS, such as Ubuntu (ubuntu.com). Go to that website to find the .iso file (or they may offer another way to install). At this point there seems to be two "flavors" of Linux--the kind that looks like Windows or Mac (has a Graphic User Interface or GUI) and the kind that uses the command line for installation. For your first installation, choose a distro that has GUI. It will be a lot easier to deal with because it will probably be similar to what you have already learned. For additional geek points, you can install one of the more complex ones and learn about the "guts" of Linux.
Patience and Problem Solving
The best tools to have with this process are patience and problem solving. Linux distros vary drastically as do computers from brand to brand. Sometimes there will be a conflict between the Linux system and your computer's hardware. Fortunately, there are so many different distros of Linux, that you will likely find one that boots up correctly. But finding that may take some time. This is not a project to do when you have a deadline unless you are familiar with this process. When you reach a point of frustration and not knowing what to do, stop and do something else. Frequently when you return to this project, you will find that you have some new ideas of things to try. You might benefit from working with someone else on this so the two of you can problem solve together. Also, search user forums for any problem you are having because chances are that someone else has had the exact same problem using the exact distro on the exact hardware as you.
.iso
You will need a special kind of CD or DVD in order to install Linux. It's called a "disk image" file and the file extension is .iso. You will find the .iso image on the webpage for the specific system you are downloading. Download that file and then burn it to the proper sized disk (DVD is bigger than CD).
Before Windows gets booted, there is a higher level of operation called "bios." To access this, hit one of the function keys at the top. Which one to hit? They vary from computer to computer, but watch for this just as your system is booting and hit whatever key they say to. This flashes on very briefly before your regular operating system begins to boot so you might have to reboot a couple of times to get it.
Once you get into bios, it is time to change the order in which the computer looks for something bootable. Normally it looks first on the hard drive and then on removable media drives. You will have to use the arrow keys and enter--your mouse will not work at this level. Follow the instructions on your bios to find where you can delineate which device to boot from first. Then move your media drive to number one (or if you do this using a flash drive, move that to number one). This means that your computer will not boot up your original system but will boot from the Linux disk. This is a good opportunity to figure out whether you like the system (or even if it will boot for you).
On some computers, you won't have to go through this procedure more than once. Others require you to get into bios before every reboot in which you want to boot from something besides the hard drive.
History
Table of Contents
Why a penguin? There are several stories recounted in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tux One of the most interesting is about how Linus Torvalds got bitten by a penguin.
Linus Torvalds released the source code to Linux and since then (early nineties), programmers have created several main categories (e.g., Debian, Red Hat, Open Suse). Within these categories many many operating systems (also known as "distros" which is short for distributions) have been developed. Currently there are over a thousand Linux-based operating systems. Some of these are for very specific purposes. For example, Vinux is an operating system designed for people with limited vision. Kubuntu and Edubuntu are education-focused variations of Ubuntu (probably the most-used form of Linux). Ubuntu falls under the Debian umbrella. For more information about the many distros, visit:
http://distrowatch.com/
Why Linux?
There are a number of reasons to consider putting a distro of Linux on a computer.Lightweight
An operating system such as Microsoft Windows takes up a lot of space on a hard disk and requires a lot of RAM. Older computers cannot run Windows very well because they don't have enough storage space or RAM, however, these computers can be put back into service with a Linux distro. The developers of the various forms of Linux have specifically created and edited code such that the systems take up as small amount of space as possible. Thus, a computer with 120 Gb hard drive and 2 Gb of RAM, which bogged down and ran out of space with Windows XP, can have Unbuntu plus lots and lots of Open Source programs and still have close to 100Gb of hard drive left over for storage purposes. Ubuntu runs quickly on this type of computer. There are also very lightweight distros that can run on even older machines.Open Source
Most Linux distributions come with a lot of powerful Open Source programs such as GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program), Open Office (office suite), and Audacity (track recording and sound editing application). These programs give even the older computer some powerful capabilities.Specific
Because there are so many distros, one can find one that is suitable for a given computer's hardware and for the use to which the machine will be putMake Your Own
No one is dependent on hoping that someone will create a distro that would work for their individual needs. There are ways of doing this oneself:http://tuxradar.com/content/build-your-own-linux-distribution-easy-way
This is a challenging project, however, it is much easier than starting totally from scratch.
User Forums
Most distros have user forums and even ways of contacting the programmers of that particular version of Linux in order to report problems and provide suggestions.Updates
Ubuntu has a new update every year and the user doesn't have to pay for the newer distro's innovations.How to Install Linux
These instructions are for a Windows machine where you want to completely erase the old operating system.WARNING: DON'T INSTALL LINUX ON ANY COMPUTER THAT HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON IT; REMOVE VALUABLE INFO BEFORE INSTALLING BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE IT FROM THAT MACHINE.
Finding Distros
http://distrowatch.com/Distrowatch is a website that keeps track of Linux distros. You will see that you can buy things from them--they will actually put the .iso on a disk so you do not have to do this for a small fee. You are buying their effort and materials rather than the operating system itself.
As you look at each distro that interests you (there's a good list on the right hand side as you scroll down), Distrowatch will give you the website for that particular OS, such as Ubuntu (ubuntu.com). Go to that website to find the .iso file (or they may offer another way to install). At this point there seems to be two "flavors" of Linux--the kind that looks like Windows or Mac (has a Graphic User Interface or GUI) and the kind that uses the command line for installation. For your first installation, choose a distro that has GUI. It will be a lot easier to deal with because it will probably be similar to what you have already learned. For additional geek points, you can install one of the more complex ones and learn about the "guts" of Linux.
Patience and Problem Solving
The best tools to have with this process are patience and problem solving. Linux distros vary drastically as do computers from brand to brand. Sometimes there will be a conflict between the Linux system and your computer's hardware. Fortunately, there are so many different distros of Linux, that you will likely find one that boots up correctly. But finding that may take some time. This is not a project to do when you have a deadline unless you are familiar with this process. When you reach a point of frustration and not knowing what to do, stop and do something else. Frequently when you return to this project, you will find that you have some new ideas of things to try. You might benefit from working with someone else on this so the two of you can problem solve together. Also, search user forums for any problem you are having because chances are that someone else has had the exact same problem using the exact distro on the exact hardware as you..iso
You will need a special kind of CD or DVD in order to install Linux. It's called a "disk image" file and the file extension is .iso. You will find the .iso image on the webpage for the specific system you are downloading. Download that file and then burn it to the proper sized disk (DVD is bigger than CD).Here is an Open Source program that will burn .iso files correctly:
http://infrarecorder.org/
bios
Before Windows gets booted, there is a higher level of operation called "bios." To access this, hit one of the function keys at the top. Which one to hit? They vary from computer to computer, but watch for this just as your system is booting and hit whatever key they say to. This flashes on very briefly before your regular operating system begins to boot so you might have to reboot a couple of times to get it.Once you get into bios, it is time to change the order in which the computer looks for something bootable. Normally it looks first on the hard drive and then on removable media drives. You will have to use the arrow keys and enter--your mouse will not work at this level. Follow the instructions on your bios to find where you can delineate which device to boot from first. Then move your media drive to number one (or if you do this using a flash drive, move that to number one). This means that your computer will not boot up your original system but will boot from the Linux disk. This is a good opportunity to figure out whether you like the system (or even if it will boot for you).
On some computers, you won't have to go through this procedure more than once. Others require you to get into bios before every reboot in which you want to boot from something besides the hard drive.